If you’re hoping to travel on a budget from Cary, North Carolina, you’ve got a handful of solid airline choices. Budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Breeze Airways keep fares low and help you save a bit of cash on your trips.
These carriers usually fly out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which isn’t far from Cary and is pretty convenient for locals.
Knowing which airlines serve the area and where they go can really change how you plan your trip. Low-cost carriers connect you to plenty of places for less, so you get more options without blowing your budget.
Finding the right flight depends on your schedule and how early you book. If you compare prices and routes, you can usually snag a pretty good deal.
Key Takeaways
- Several budget airlines provide affordable flights for Cary travelers.
- Low-cost carriers offer a variety of destinations and flexible options.
- Comparing airlines and booking early helps you save on airfare.
Major Budget Airlines Serving Cary, North Carolina
You’ve got a few budget airline options near Cary, mostly flying out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). These airlines offer nonstop flights to a bunch of destinations, so getting out of town is both easier and cheaper.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is a popular low-cost pick at RDU. They keep base fares low and run a modern fleet, but you’ll pay extra for things like checked bags or picking your seat.
If you travel light and don’t mind skipping the extras, you can get some really cheap tickets. Their routes from Raleigh hit plenty of U.S. cities—think Florida and the Southwest.
Booking early or skipping add-ons usually saves you the most. Keep an eye out for their frequent sales; sometimes the deals are almost too good to pass up.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is another big name in the budget game at RDU. They’re famous for rock-bottom fares, but you’ll pay for just about anything besides your seat—yes, even carry-ons and drinks.
If you’re the type who only pays for what you need, Spirit can cut your costs way down. Their “Bare Fare” model lets you add extras à la carte.
Spirit flies to several popular cities from RDU, especially along the East Coast and in Florida. Booking online ahead of time is usually your best bet for the lowest prices.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air mostly focuses on leisure travel, offering direct flights from the Raleigh area to sunny spots like Florida and other vacation destinations.
Their schedule is a bit limited, so flexibility is key if you want to fly with them. Like Frontier and Spirit, Allegiant charges for bags and seat choices.
Sometimes they bundle low fares with vacation packages, which can be handy if you’re looking to book flights and hotels together.
Flight Options and Destinations
You can find a variety of routes from Cary, mostly through Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). There are both direct and nonstop flights to a bunch of cities.
Flight frequency and destinations change by airline and season, but you’ll find coverage for a lot of key U.S. hubs.
Direct and Nonstop Flights
RDU, the closest major airport to Cary, offers direct and nonstop flights to big cities like Charlotte, Miami, and Wilmington. Nonstop flights mean no stops between you and your destination, so you get there faster.
Spirit, Frontier, and American Airlines all run nonstop flights from RDU to southern and eastern U.S. cities. You’ll also see nonstop routes to places like Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which can connect you almost anywhere.
Nonstop is the way to go if you hate layovers.
Flights per Week
How often flights run depends on the airline and where you’re headed. Hot routes like RDU to Charlotte or Miami usually have daily flights or several per week.
Smaller routes—say, to Wilmington or Greensboro—might only run three to five times a week. Airlines like JetBlue and Southwest often boost flights during busy travel seasons.
Checking schedules early is always smart if you want flights that match your plans.
Major Destinations Served
From Cary (via RDU), you can reach cities like Charlotte and Miami with direct flights. Charlotte Douglas International is a big hub for both business and vacation travelers.
Other destinations include Wilmington and Greensboro, which are closer regional options. You’ll also find flights to bigger hubs like Newark and Atlanta, sometimes with a quick stop.
There’s a mix of domestic and regional destinations, so you’ve got some flexibility for work or play.
Airfare Comparison and Savings Tips
Saving on flights from Cary is all about timing and knowing where to look. If you watch prices and book smart, you can land some seriously cheap fares.
Ticket Prices and Airfares
Ticket prices from Cary change a lot based on airline and timing. Spirit, Breeze, and Frontier tend to be the cheapest, but you’ll pay more for things like bags or picking your seat.
It’s worth comparing prices on sites like Expedia and KAYAK. Flights on weekdays or at weird hours are usually cheaper.
Budget airlines sometimes have stricter rules, so double-check what’s included before you book. Nobody likes surprise fees.
Cheapest Month to Fly
If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest time to fly, late winter and early spring—think February or March—are usually your best bet. Airlines drop prices then since fewer people are traveling.
Avoid flying around holidays or school breaks if you want to save. Summer and late fall tend to be pricier.
Checking prices throughout the year can help you catch those rare low points.
Cheapest Flight Found
It’s not unheard of to find one-way fares to Cary under $40. Spirit Airlines sometimes lists tickets near that price from cities like Newark or Atlanta.
Book well in advance and keep your travel dates flexible for the best shot at rock-bottom fares. Watch out for special sales from Breeze Airways and Frontier, too.
Nonstop flights might cost a bit more, but if you don’t mind a connection, you could save a few extra bucks.
Price Alert Strategies
Setting up price alerts on booking sites is a pretty smart move. You’ll get notified when fares drop for your chosen route.
Apps and websites like KAYAK and Expedia can track prices for you. Alerts help you pounce on deals before they’re gone.
Try checking prices at different times of day—airlines update rates a lot, and you might catch a sudden dip.
Additional Travel Information for Cary Residents
When you’re flying from Cary, you’ve got a decent selection of airlines and routes. Flight times vary by destination, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the main hub.
Budget airlines are adding more options lately, which is nice if you’re trying to keep costs down.
Average Flight Time
How long you’re in the air depends on where you’re going. Flights to nearby places like Atlanta or Charlotte usually take about an hour to an hour and a half.
Heading to the West Coast—say, Los Angeles or San Francisco—takes around five to six hours nonstop. Florida spots like Miami or Orlando are about two and a half to three hours.
International flights, like to Mexico City, are usually four to five hours. If you’ve got a layover, obviously, it’ll take longer overall.
Other Airlines Operating at RDU
Besides the budget players like Spirit, Breeze, and Frontier, RDU is home to a bunch of major airlines. You’ll find American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue, all offering plenty of domestic and some international routes.
American and Delta have lots of flights to big hubs, which helps if you need to connect somewhere. Southwest is great for budget fares and has pretty flexible policies.
JetBlue flies some longer routes with extra legroom, which is always a plus. Occasionally, you’ll spot international carriers like Aeromexico running seasonal flights out of RDU too.
Emerging Budget Carriers
New budget carriers are popping up around Cary, and that means more flight options than before. Breeze Airways, for example, has launched a handful of routes, zeroing in on smaller airports and keeping fares low.
Avelo Airlines is also trying to make its mark. They’re expanding with wallet-friendly prices and a modern vibe.
Sure, these airlines might skip the extras, but the savings can be worth it. You might start seeing new nonstop routes or seasonal specials, which is always a nice surprise.
If you’re traveling short distances or just want to keep costs down, these carriers can be a smart pick. It’s probably a good idea to keep tabs on their announcements for any fresh flights out of RDU.